A continuous esterification of malonic acid with citronellol using packed bed reactor: Investigation of parameter and kinetics study

A continuous packed bed immobilized lipase reactor was used in the synthesis of citronellyl malonate. Biocatalyst Candida rugosa lipases which were immobilized on Amberlite MB-1 support were employed to synthesize citronellyl malonate. Investigations on the effect of different citronellol and malonic acid concentration and feed flow rate on the conversion were being conducted. Full conversion of acid to product was achieved at high concentration of citronellol (50 mmol/L) and reached a steady state after 180 min of reaction time. Maximum conversion of acid was found at a ratio of 1:3 acids to alcohol concentration. An inhibition effect was observed when a high concentration of malonic acid was used in the system. A higher feed flow rate into the packed bed reactor system had increased the conversion to 90%. An investigation on the kinetics was conducted and an ordered bi bi mechanism with dead end complex of malonic acid was found to fit the initial rate data. (C) 2008 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.